Arkansas Blog

Party switcher in filings UPDATE

Can somebody explain what's the deal with former Republican senator Bill Walters of Greenwood filing today as a Democrat for the House seat currently held by his wife, Shirley, a term-limited Republican?

UPDATE: There's an interview with the Fort Smith paper Wednesday that quotes Walters as saying there are too many Democrats in the House to be effective as a Republican. (Particularly, I'd add, when so many of the Repubs are bonkers.) A couple of Republicans told me yesterday this certainly would affect their view of Shirley Walters should she follow through on plans to seek a Senate seat as a Republican. I guess so. But maybe she'll switch, too. It just so happens I met her for the first time in 1992, when she and Bill were attending Bill Clinton's first inaugural. Shirley Walters also has been quoted as saying she votes for the person rather than the party. Uh huh. That will make her a LOT of friends in the GOP. I also wonder if she can maintain her party membership if, as rumored, Gov. Mike Beebe throws in to help her get elected to a Senate seat in 2010.

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